We all clinked our champagne glasses and I bit my lip to contain my laughter during Geoffrey’s toast.
“Tell me everything, please. How did the two of you meet? Nicholas has been really evasive.”
In order to calm me down after Clara’s question, Nicholas put his hand on my knee underneath the table. I let him tell the story because he seemed to enjoy it immensely.
“Willow is from Atkins, actually.”
Around the table, eyebrows raised as I sipped more champagne.
“You recall the scholarship I established there approximately five years ago? Well, there was a misunderstanding about Willow receiving it this year, so we got together to set things straight. It goes without saying that she bewitched me as soon as I saw her, and we instantly fell in love.”
I nodded in agreement as he softly massaged my knee.
Jefferson’s face turned distant in front of our eyes as he turned from Nicholas to me. “You recently completed high school, right?”
I pursed my lips and turned my head around to scowl at Geoffrey, who had started laughing. Nicholas spoke to his father once again.
“Yes, she did, and she’s starting this fall at QCU. Is that objectionable in any way?”
The severity of Nicholas’ voice was a bit startling for me, and I saw Clara stroke Jefferson’s arm and mumble something in his ear. There appeared to be some friction between Nicholas and his father.
In between laughter, Geoffrey added, “Like father, like son.”
“What does that mean, exactly?” I couldn’t help but feel a little annoying.
Clara sighed, shook her head, and then leaned in my direction. “Please pardon my sons and spouse for their actions. The drawback of being surrounded by men is just that.” She grinned pleasantly, and I started to relax right away. “I also married Jefferson when I was young, which is what Geoffrey was so rudely referring to,” she informed.
Geoffrey said “cradle snatcher” while making a false cough.
As Jefferson’s cheeks started to slightly flush, Clara shot her son a stern look. Nicholas whispered in my ear as he leaned in close. “Dad was 35, Mom was 18, and I was the tiny delight that hurried their wedding along.”
I made an effort to hide my surprise, but I struggled. Clara grinned, Jefferson scowled, and Geoffrey just carried on laughing.
“I think that sounds lovely and romantic, though. I’m glad to see my baby smiling.” Even though we were deceiving them about our real connection, I had to grin when I saw the affection with which Clara gazed at Nicholas. She again turned to face me. “I’m also looking forward to having grandkids.”
I chuckled apprehensively and drank some more.
“We are working on it.” Nicholas wrapped his arm around me and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I was so startled that I smacked him under the table. Despite my chagrin, his humor appeared to lessen the uneasiness at the table because Clara beaming, Jefferson, and Geoffrey kept laughing.
His brother said, “I’m sure you are.”
I wanted to hide underneath the table.
Fortunately, we just spoke briefly while we munched on our appetizers. Once our entrees arrived, the serious conversation resumed.
I glanced over to see Nicholas eyeing me with worry as his fingers lightly caressed my arm. I nodded to tell him everything was all right.
“I have no living family remaining. Both of my parents have passed away, and neither of their parents are still alive or involved in my life.” I continued because I didn’t want to witness the awkwardness and sympathy that always accompanied the description of my family life. “I do have an amazing friend whom I think of as family. She was rather shocked, yes.”
I chuckled along when Nicholas’ snorted. The silence around the table was unnerving.
I glanced over at the other men again and both of them looked a little easy, but Clara grabbed my hand and sat down next to me. With her eyes watering, she marked, “Well, you have parents and siblings now.”
I gave her hand a tight squeeze in gratitude. She was quite kind, and I could see why Nicholas loved his mother so much.
The remainder of the meal went relatively smoothly. After Jefferson inquired about my family, Nicholas and his father remained obstinately silent to one another. I bit my tongue to avoid inquiring as to the cause of the tension.
Everyone was friendly to me in spite of the conflict between those two. It was shown that my fears about them not accepting me were absolutely unjustified.
When I told Clara I would meet with her for lunch in a few days to talk more about the post-nuptial party she planned to arrange for Nicholas and me, she was positively giddy. She emphasized that because we did not have a traditional ceremony, we had to legally declare our marriage.
Nicholas was of no assistance at all when I wanted to refuse, but Geoffrey’s assurance that we would be showered with gifts convinced me otherwise. I never saw anything wrong with receiving gifts.
By the time Nicholas and I arrived at our house, I felt considerably less pressured that my last name was now Rowe. Despite the unusual nature of my entrance into his life, I genuinely felt like a member of his family.
“I enjoy your constant smiles. It’s fresh.” As we began to ascend the stairs to our room, he stopped me.
My eyes were nearly level with his as he stood on the step below me and I turned to face him. I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him passionately.
“I’m happy, so that’s why.”
His fingers moved slowly up my legs and along the backs of my knees. I bit my lip, which made him growl low in his chest.
“I adore seeing you smile. It’s time to follow through on your promise and show me what’s underneath this outfit.”
I whispered in his ear as I leaned in and nibbled his lobe. “I’ll let you in on a secret. I don’t have any underwear on.”
His hands tightened around my thighs as he inhaled sharply.
“You weren’t wearing anything underneath the dress this the entire time?”
I backed away and took another step up, my head shaking. “Nope.”